Meanwhile‚ Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced compensation of half million rupees each for the heir of dead persons and one hundred thousand rupees for the injured persons.

A suspected home-made bomb exploded near a Shia Muslim procession in the central Pakistani town of Khanpur.

A homemade bomb has exploded near a Shia Muslim procession in the central Pakistani town of Khanpur, killing 18 people and wounding 30, according to police officials.

The remote-controlled bomb was planted near an electricity pole, said Sohail Chattha, the area’s police chief. He said it was set off as the procession approached.

“There was a loud explosion a few yards from the procession and we all scrambled to get away,” said Imran Iqbal, who was in the procession. “Debris was everywhere and a cloud of dust engulfed us. Many people died on the spot.”

Processions of Shia Muslims, who make up about 20% of Pakistan’s population, have often been attacked by militant Sunni groups who consider them apostates of Islam.

Sunday’s procession was in observance of Arbain, or Chehlum, one of the main religious observances in the Shia calendar.

Sectarian strife between Pakistan’s majority Sunni and minority Shia militants has intensified since Sunni militants deepened ties with al-Qaida and Pakistani Taliban insurgents after Pakistan joined the US-led campaign against militancy after the 9/11 attacks on America.